Game Kit and Method of Use

ABSTRACT

A game kit and method of use. The game kit includes one or more board units and one or more tokens, such as one or more coins or balls. Each board unit includes a planar board affixed to a plurality of legs that extend from the planar board. The planar board includes one or more apertures therethrough, each aperture sized to receive a token therethrough. Each aperture may include a netting thereunder to catch the token after it passes through the aperture, to facilitate retrieval of the token after use. The method of use includes throwing the token toward a board unit of the one or more board units in an attempt to place the token through the one or more apertures for the assignment of points that accumulate to form a score of a team or an individual.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/687,372 filed on Jun. 20, 2019. The above identified patent application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a game kit for playing a game indoors or outdoors.

Many individuals enjoy playing games, but many of these games involve little or no physical activity and as a result these individuals may lead sedentary lifestyles. Sedentary lifestyles can lead to a multitude of health problems, including physiological and mental conditions, that can affect the quality of a person's life. Many individuals seek entertainment that is also physically engaging to encourage a more active lifestyle.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a game kit for playing a game indoors or outdoors. The present invention addresses this unmet need.

Kits have been disclosed in the art that relate to games that can be played indoors or outdoors. These include items that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These are often unsatisfactory and require little or no physical engagement. In view of the items disclosed in the art, it is submitted that there is a need for an improvement to existing games kits and related methods of use. In view of the present disclosure, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in structural and functional elements from items in the art, and substantially fulfills an unmet need in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the disadvantages inherent in the known types of game kits in the art, the present invention provides a new and improved game kit, wherein the same can be utilized for playing a game either indoors or outdoors.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a game kit for playing a game that is relatively compact and transportable, and that utilizes smaller components for use either indoors or outdoors, according to need.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a kit, comprising one or more board units, and each board unit of the one or more board units comprises a plurality of apertures therethrough, such that the plurality of apertures comprises a smaller aperture and one or more larger apertures. It also may include one or more tokens, wherein each token is sized to fit through each aperture of the plurality of apertures. Generally, each board unit comprises a planar board affixed to a plurality of legs that extend from the planar board.

In some embodiments, the one or more tokens includes one or more tokens selected from a group including, but not necessarily limited to: a coin, a ball, and a combination thereof. In such embodiments, it may be preferable to include a small and/or lightweight token for use indoors or outdoors. In this manner, the one or more tokens may not break or damage fragile items inside a building, such as a home or office. In addition, in this manner, the game kit and the one or more tokens are easily stored and transported when not in use.

In some embodiments, the plurality of apertures consists of the smaller aperture and three larger apertures. In such embodiments, it may be preferable to omit additional apertures such that the board maintains a simple and balanced design. In addition, if too many apertures are included, a level of difficulty of a game that utilizes the game kit may become too low, and players may lose interest. Accordingly, it is envisioned that a balanced number of apertures are included in the design so as to challenge players without making the game too difficult so as to cause the players to lose interest.

In some embodiments, the one or more larger apertures are arranged around a perimeter of the smaller aperture on the planar board. In some methods of use, the smaller aperture provides a greater amount of points or reward to the player that tosses a token therethrough, due to the increased difficulty in doing so relative to a difficult of doing so with the larger apertures. Designing the planar board so as to include the smaller aperture at or near a center thereof enables the player throwing the token to focus on the center of the planar board when aiming for a throw of the token.

In some embodiments, a selection of apertures of the plurality of apertures includes a netting thereunder configured to catch the one or more tokens after the one or more tokens passes through the selection of apertures. The netting enables quick retrieval of the one or more tokens therefrom, so that less time is spent searching for the token(s) and more time can be spent playing a game that utilizes the game kit of the present invention.

In some embodiments, the selection of apertures of the plurality of apertures comprises the three larger apertures. In certain embodiments, it may be preferable to include the possibility of adding additional larger apertures on the planar board, and in this manner, a difficulty of the game may be adjusted to accompany different skill levels.

In some embodiments, the smaller aperture does not include the netting thereunder. In such embodiments, the netting may be omitted from the smaller aperture so that players can see and/or hear the token as it hits a surface underneath the smaller aperture, which may include, but may not necessarily be limited to, a ground, a floor, a table, and the like.

In some embodiments, each leg of the plurality of legs is pivotally affixed to a perimeter edge about a bottom surface of the planar board. In such embodiments the perimeter edge extends downward from an outer edge along the bottom surface of the planar board. In this manner, each leg can pivot to prepare the board unit for storage, transport, or use in the game, according to need.

In some embodiments, each leg of the plurality of legs is configured to pivot to a compact configuration for storage or transport of the kit, and to an extended configuration for support of the planar board during use of the kit. In such embodiments, in the compact configuration, each leg of the plurality of legs is flush or nearly flush with a portion of the bottom surface of the board. In addition, in such embodiments, in the extended configuration, the legs extend outward from the bottom surface at an angle suitable to support the planar board.

In some embodiments, each leg of the plurality of legs is independently pivotable about a fastener that pivotally affixes the leg to the perimeter edge about the bottom surface of the planar board. In this manner, if the board unit is in use or configured for use on an uneven or irregular surface, the legs may be individually adjustable to maintain an angle of the planar board relative to a play surface thereunder, such as a ground, a floor, a table, and the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a game kit that may be readily manufactured from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manners in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary board unit of a game kit of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a front view of the exemplary board unit of the game kit.

FIG. 3 depicts a side perspective view of a pair of exemplary board units of the game kit.

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of the pair of exemplary board units of the game kit, with one exemplary board unit upside down.

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the pair of exemplary board units of the game kit, with the exemplary board units placed on a table and prepared for a method of playing a game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the invention. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered limiting in any respect.

Reference is now made to the drawings, which depict one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is depicted a perspective view of an exemplary board unit of a game kit of the present invention. In the shown embodiment, a board unit 1 includes a planar board 4 that has a plurality of apertures (2, 3) therethrough, wherein the plurality of apertures comprises a smaller aperture 3 and one or more larger apertures 2. The planar board 4 is supported by a plurality of legs 5, which are pivotally affixed to an outer perimeter of the planar board 4 via a fastener 6. In some embodiments, the game kit includes one or more tokens, such as a coin, a ball, or a combination thereof, such that each token is sized to fit through each aperture of the plurality of apertures (2, 3).

In the shown embodiment, the plurality of apertures (2, 3) comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of the smaller aperture 3 and three larger apertures 2. In this manner, additional apertures may be excluded, or not excluded, so as to control or adjust a difficulty or an enjoyment of a game that utilizes the game kit of the present invention. In the shown embodiment, the one or more larger apertures 2 are arranged around a perimeter of the smaller aperture 3 on the planar board 4. In this manner, the smaller aperture 3 is positioned at or near a center of the planar board 4, so as to enable a player to aim at or near the center of the planar board 4 when preparing to throw a token of the one or more tokens.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is depicted a front view of the exemplary board unit of the game kit. In the shown embodiment, the board unit 1 includes a netting 7 underneath each of the larger apertures and does not include any netting underneath the smaller aperture, which produces a space 8 through which a token may pass during a game. In this manner, if the token passes through any of the larger apertures it is caught by the netting 7, and if it passes through the smaller aperture it enters the space 8 and is not caught by the netting 7.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is depicted a side perspective view of a pair of exemplary board units of the game kit. In the shown embodiment, each board unit 1 is equally sized, dimensioned, and configured so as to enable fair play in the game. Each board unit 1 includes a plurality of legs 5 thereunder, configured to support the planar board in the position shown. In the shown embodiment, an angle 9 between a leg 5 and the planar board is ninety (90) degrees or is about ninety (90) degrees. In the shown embodiment, an angle between the planar board and a surface thereunder, such as a support surface (e.g., a table, a ground, a floor, etc.) is thirty five (35) degrees or is about thirty five (35) degrees. In this manner, the planar board is sloped such that the token may bounce back and down after impacting a portion of the planar board, which is relevant to a particular method of playing a game using the game kit of the present invention.

In the shown embodiments, a distal end of each leg of the plurality of legs 5 is angled or beveled, so as to engage the support surface in a consistent manner and maximize stability of the board unit 1. In this manner, the angle 9 between the leg 5 and the planar board is able to be perpendicular. This arrangement may be favorable for ensuring the stability of the board unit 1 does not change during game play.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is depicted a perspective view of the pair of exemplary board units of the game kit, with one exemplary board unit upside down (left) and one exemplary board unit right side up (right). The board unit 1 includes the plurality of legs 5, each leg of which is pivotally affixed to an outer perimeter 11 of a bottom surface 12 of the planar board 4 of the board unit 1. In the shown embodiment, the larger holes having the netting thereunder include a lip 10 configured to secure the netting to the bottom surface 12 of the planar board 4. However, in some embodiments, the netting is secured to the bottom surface 12 of the planar board 4 by any other suitable type of fastener, such as one or more staples. In this manner, the netting does not fall out of, or become disconnected from, the planar board 4 during use. In the shown embodiment, each leg of the plurality of legs 5 is secured to the outer perimeter 11 of the bottom surface 12 by the fastener 6. The fastener 6 is generally configured to secure the legs 5 to the outer perimeter 11 while also allowing the legs 5 to rotate or pivot relative to the planar board 4.

In the shown embodiment, each leg 5 of the plurality of legs is configured to pivot to a compact configuration (FIG. 4, left), such that the leg 5 is flush with the bottom surface 12 of the planar board 4. In addition, each leg 5 of the plurality of legs is configured to pivot to an extended configuration (FIG. 4, right), such that the leg 5 is not flush with the bottom surface 12 of the planar board 4. In this manner, the board unit 1 may be configured to have a decreased profile for storage or transport of the kit (FIG. 4, left) or to have an increased profile for use of the kit (FIG. 4, right).

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is depicted a perspective view of the pair of exemplary board units of the game kit, with the exemplary board units placed on a table and prepared for a method of playing a game. In the shown embodiment, a table 15 having a first end 13 and a second end 14 is to be used as a support surface for the game. In the shown embodiment, a pair of board units 1 is split such that a single board unit is positioned at each of the first end 13 and the second end 14. In this manner, a first individual or team is to be behind the first end 13, and a second individual or team is to be behind the second end 14, as described below.

In some embodiments, a method of playing a game using a kit of the present invention is comprised of several steps. First, each team, which is comprised of one or more players, is positioned behind either the first end 13 or the second end 14 of the table 12. The teams take turns throwing one or more tokens toward the opposing board unit 1, in an attempt to place the one or more tokens through one or more apertures of the planar board of the board unit. In some embodiments, different points are allotted for throwing the one or more tokens through different apertures. For example, in some embodiments, if a token, such as a coin or a ball, is thrown through an upper larger aperture, two (2) points are awarded to the team that threw the token. If the token is thrown through either of two lower larger apertures, one (1) point is awarded to the team that threw the token. If a team throws the token and it bounces off the planar board of the board unit, the other team has a chance to catch the token before it lands on the support surface (e.g., the table 15). If the other team catches the token in this way, then the catching team takes possession of the token, and they then may throw the token to try to score points. If the other team does not catch the token in this way, then the token is returned to the original team, who continues to throw the token toward the apertures of the planar board. In some embodiments, if the token enters the smaller (e.g., center) hole, the team that threw the token into the smaller hole automatically wins. Otherwise, the teams may play until a score of one of the teams reaches twenty-one (21). If a team scores more than twenty-one, that team's score goes back to what it was before that round of play.

In various embodiments, a method of playing a game according to the present invention comprises throwing a token toward a board unit, catching the token, and throwing the token through one or more apertures of the plurality of apertures of the planar board of the board unit. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise preparing for the method by placing one or more board units in the extended configuration, with the legs extended. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise cleaning up after the game has ended or paused, which may further comprise placing the one or more board units in the retracted configuration, with the legs folded toward the bottom surface of the one or more board units.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and its embodiments with modifications as suited to the use contemplated.

It is therefore submitted that the present invention has been shown and described in the most practical and exemplary embodiments. It should be recognized that departures may be made which fall within the scope of the invention. With respect to the description provided herein, it is submitted that the optimal features of the invention include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly, and use. All structures, functions, and relationships equivalent or essentially equivalent to those disclosed are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 

We claim: 1) A kit, comprising: one or more board units, wherein each board unit of the one or more board units comprises a planar board having a plurality of apertures therethrough, wherein the plurality of apertures comprises a smaller aperture and one or more larger apertures; one or more tokens, wherein each token is sized to fit through each aperture of the plurality of apertures; wherein each planar board is affixed to a plurality of legs that extends from the planar board. 2) The kit of claim 1, wherein the one or more tokens includes one or more tokens selected from a group consisting of: a coin, a ball, and a combination thereof. 3) The kit of claim 1, wherein the plurality of apertures consists of the smaller aperture and three larger apertures. 4) The kit of claim 1, wherein the one or more larger apertures are arranged around a perimeter of the smaller aperture on the planar board. 5) The kit of claim 4, wherein a selection of apertures of the plurality of apertures includes a netting thereunder configured to catch the one or more tokens after the one or more tokens passes through the selection of apertures. 6) The kit of claim 5, wherein the selection of apertures of the plurality of apertures comprises three larger apertures; wherein the netting of each of the three larger apertures is secured to a bottom surface of the planar board. 7) The kit of claim 6, wherein the smaller aperture does not include the netting thereunder. 8) The kit of claim 1, wherein each leg of the plurality of legs is pivotally affixed to a perimeter edge about a bottom surface of the planar board. 9) The kit of claim 8, wherein each leg of the plurality of legs is configured to pivot to a compact configuration for storage or transport of the kit, and to an extended configuration for support of the planar board during use of the kit. 10) The kit of claim 9, wherein each leg of the plurality of legs is independently pivotable about a fastener that pivotally affixes the leg to the perimeter edge about the bottom surface of the planar board. 11) A kit, comprising: one or more board units, wherein each board unit of the one or more board units comprises a planar board having a plurality of apertures therethrough, wherein the plurality of apertures comprises a smaller aperture and one or more larger apertures; wherein each planar board is affixed to a plurality of legs that extends from the planar board; wherein the one or more larger apertures are arranged around a perimeter of the smaller aperture on the planar board. 12) The kit of claim 11, wherein the one or more larger apertures includes a netting thereunder configured to catch a token that passes therethrough; wherein the smaller aperture does not include the netting thereunder. 13) The kit of claim 11, wherein each leg of the plurality of legs is configured to pivot to a compact configuration, wherein the leg is flush with a bottom surface of the planar board; wherein each leg of the plurality of legs is configured to pivot to an extended configuration, wherein the leg is not flush with the bottom surface of the planar board. 14) The kit of claim 13, wherein the compact configuration decreases a profile of the board unit for storage or transport of the kit, and wherein the extended configuration increases the profile of the board unit for use of the kit. 15) The kit of claim 14, wherein the extended configuration produces an angle between each leg and the bottom surface of the planar board that is about ninety degrees; wherein the extended configuration produces an angle between the bottom surface of the planar board and a support surface thereunder that is about thirty five degrees. 